UW-Madison students called for an end to sexual assault Thursday during a march on Library Mall and a march to the Capitol.
The rally, which was titled ""Take Back the Night"" to recognize women who feel unsafe walking on the streets at night, consisted of participants who made their way up State Street to the Capitol while chanting for safety on the streets of Madison. They held a vigil for victims of sexual violence on the steps of the Capitol building.
Lilada Gee, a community member who provides support groups and resources for victims, spoke during the vigil. She said the event allows the healing process to continue for victims of sexual violence.
""You don't have to be just a victim,"" Gee said. ""We've been through it, we can heal through it and then we can reclaim our lives.""
In addition to scheduled speakers, victims of sexual assault were encouraged to speak out.
""The speakers that we brought were incredible, but the people who came up and shared their stories, especially the ones who hadn't shared them before, that's what this is about,"" Tina Treviño-Murphy, program coordinator for the Campus Women's Center, said.
Treviño-Murphy said the event drew more attention than last year, when only about 40 people attended, because organizers received a rally permit to march down State Street.
""It was a really incredible experience for me to be a part of this when so many people came together,"" she said. ""It was really powerful to be in that circle in the community.""
Peter Truell, UW-Oshkosh student, who came to Madison to experience the rally, said prior to his engagement with his sexual assault awareness group, he did not realize how much of a cultural issue sexual assault really is.
He added it was encouraging to see other campuses involved in sexual violence awareness.
""We're trying to prevent this stuff, we're trying to help, and we're not the only ones doing stuff—we're not the only ones out there,"" he said.
The event was hosted by a coalition of organizations including the Madison Rape Crisis Center, UW-Madison's Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment (PAVE) and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
